Thursday, November 1, 2012

Why I love YA

I love love love YA literature. So why?

Since I was a child I have read as an escape. An escape from a great childhood with a dark secret. Escape from everyday events. Escape from parents who fought. Escape for escape's sake.

I find comfort in stories about young people. It keeps me young at heart (though not in body dang it!). The story lines range from young love to young heroes/heroines fighting "the system". There is triumph and tragedy, just like real life, but it isn't MY life. I love to escape into OTHER people's lives.

Some of my favorites?

Harry Potter (all of 'em) by J.K. Rowling
Who doesn't love an underdog? Harry is an orphan raised by horrible relatives. He discovers he is a wizard and has to fight the ultimate evil character. It is triumph over adversity. It has friendship, love and magic!

The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J.Haight and S. Robinson (link to their blog here)
Here is a female detective I can love. She has a dad who uses SAT words, a baby sister and a curiosity that won't quit. This awesome book, written by a friend of mine and her best friend, is still awaiting the right publisher but the first chapters are available on the blog. I hope everyone will love Fairday and her best friend Lizzy as much as I do!

Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth (link to her site here) - Anxiously awaiting the next book!!!
Another female protagonist facing seemingly insurmountable odds. There is love, danger, a controlling government and more! This is dystopian literature at its best.

Matched by Ally Condie (link to her site here)
Another dystopian series and I love it! Love, government and a hint of evil underlay the entire book. Can't wait to read the sequel!

Any Book by Ellen Hopkins (link to her site here)
I never thought I would like a book written entirely in verse, Turns out I was WRONG! Ellen Hopkins' writing is gripping and amazing.

Any Book by Natasha Friend (link to her site here)
Real events, real situations, real people. That is how I describe Natasha Friend's characters and books. Awesome is another great word for them!

Tell me about the books you love and why!

If you want, feel free to read Beth Revis' Blog and enter to win a Library full of SIGNED YA Books!